INTER- AND INTRA-RATER VARIABILITY OF TESTING VELOCITY WHEN ASSESSING LOWER LIMB SPASTICITY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish the variability of fast testing velocity and joint range of motion and position when assessing lower-limb spasticity in individuals following neurological injury. DESIGN: Observational study of people with lower-limb spasticity. SUBJECTS: Patients with an upper motor neurone lesion (n = 35) and clinicians experienced in spasticity assessment (n = 34) were included. METHODS: The Modified Tardieu scale (MTS) was completed on the quadriceps, hamstrings (2 positions), gastrocnemius and soleus for each participant's more affected lower limb by 3 assessors. Mean absolute differences (MADs) were used to calculate variability as a measure of reliability. RESULTS: Variability ..